The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday inducted 209 new employees at its headquarters in Abuja, describing the exercise as one of its largest recruitment intakes and reaffirming its commitment to merit, professionalism, and integrity.
The Managing Director, Malam Ali M. Ali, stated that the recruitment process was strictly merit-based, despite external pressures. He noted that the induction marks a critical phase in onboarding, setting expectations around performance, discipline, and ethical conduct.
Addressing the new employees, Ali said, “You should feel proud to be joining this media organisation, which is Africa’s largest news provider.”
He emphasised the agency’s commitment to fairness. “We resisted significant pressure to ensure that those present here today were selected strictly on merit. We will not sacrifice merit for other considerations,” he added.
The Managing Director urged the recruits to uphold high professional standards. “Others rely on NAN for credible news. It is now your responsibility to meet expectations, maintain professionalism, and uphold the trust placed in you. You must carry out your duties diligently,” he said.
Earlier, the Head of Administration, Mrs. Amadi Uba, formally presented the 209 employees to management, confirming that they had completed all required documentation and were ready to assume their roles.
She noted that the recruits had been deployed across various departments, including editorial, finance and accounts, legal, procurement, administration/human resources, marketing, and technical units. “The process began some time ago, and on 16 March, we commenced the first phase of documentation. All those present have been duly processed and are ready to serve the agency,” she said.
Also speaking, a retired Director of Human Resources in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Musa Sale, advised the new employees to adhere strictly to public service regulations.
“You must uphold public service rules, work diligently towards the confirmation of your appointments, and remain proactive while avoiding disciplinary issues arising from misconduct,” he said.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Managing Director on Editorial Operations, Mr. Ephraim Sheyin, underscored the importance of integrity in journalism, cautioning against the dissemination of unverified information.
“A good name is better than silver and gold. Integrity is our watchword. You do not have the luxury of speculation or spreading rumours. Accuracy and credibility must guide your work at all times,” he said.
Sheyin added that NAN continues to offer opportunities for professionals across diverse fields, noting that the large-scale recruitment reflects the agency’s growth and its expanding role in news gathering and dissemination.
